Weight-indicating mechanism for scales



Sept. 24, 1929. N. A. HALLWOOD 1,729,106

WEIGHT INDICATING MECHANISM FOR SCALES Filed Feb. 27, 1926 2 J /O 7 2 lI Jl.

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gwuwtoz jVaf/a an A flizllu oad aka-awn UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICENATHAN'A. HALLWOOD, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO WEIGHT-INDICATING MEbHAN 'ISM FORSCALES Application filed February 27, 1926. Serial No. 91,085.

This invention relates broadly to improvevents an attempted readingthereof with any ments in scales and is addressed particularly degree ofaccuracy in mind, compelling the to the weight indicating mechanismthereof. reader to assume a correct position so as to and has foritsprimary object to provide in bring the norm into true edge elevation,in

conjunction with the weighing mechanism of which position correctreadings are obtain- 55 a scale an improved lens construction throughable in the ordinary manner. which weight readings are made and whereinWith these and other objects in view, as the lens construction is formedto provide will appear as thedescription proceeds, the means whereby thereader of the scale is cominvention consists in the novel features ofpelled to occupy a correct reading position construction, combinationsof elements and 60 before the weight indicating mechanism canarrangements ofparts hereinafter to be fully be correctly viewed andread, described and pointed out in the appended Many computing scalesnow in commercial claims. v

use include weight indicating mechanisms In the accompanying drawing iembodying arotatable drum arranged for ro- Figure 1 is a front elevationof-the weight tation in a closed casing and having the indicating towerof the scale, the latter being weight graduations provided upon theouter provided with a reading lens-formed in accircumferential wallthereof, the casing becordance with the present invention, ing provided.with a sight opening covered Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view onthe ordinarilyby a lens across which extends a line 22 of Figure 1, a v

fine wire or other fine longitudinal indica- Figure 3 is asectional viewdisclosing the tion constituting a norm or zero indication lens as.constructed in accordance with the, I which furnishes a basis ofcomparison with preferred form of the invention, and

. the graduations on'the indicating drum to Figures 4:, 5 and 6 are imilr views showdenote'the deflection of the scale inresponse 111g modifiedforms of the invention 75 to applied weights of varying mass. Prac- 7Referring more particularly to the drawtice has disclosed that thiscustomary conings the numeral 1' designates the upper porstructionfrequently results in an erroneous tion of the tower of anordinarycommercial reading of the scale indicating means, since type of scale,wherein the tower is formed to unless the reader is standing in thehorizonprovide a substantially cylindrical casing 2 80 tal plane of thenorm marka true and accu having mounted for rotation therein about arate comparison and register of the norm longitudinally extending shaft3, a rotatable with the graduations on .the weight drum can 1 drum 4,the outer circumferential wall of the not be obtained. For example, aperson of drum being provided with the. customary short stature lookingupwardly at an angle weight graduations or with other computing 85 intothe reading lens will read the scale difindicia. It will be understoodthe drum 4 is 'ferently from a person of tall stature looking adapted tobe revolved from a normal posi- Idownwardly at an angle into the readinglens. tion about the axis of the shaft 3 by any suit- Therefore, inorder to obviate this condiable mechanism customary in scales of this 40tion and to compel the reader to assume a corpe, and since thismechanism does not spe- 9o rect position in reading the scale the lensin ci cally enterinto the present invention, the front of the drum isprovided with a flat ribsame has been omitted.

bon-like norm which when viewed in edge The casing 2 is provided in thisinstance elevation is very thin and offers no appreciawith alongitudinally extending slot 5 in ble obstruction in the reading of thedrum, which is mounted a rectangular frame 6 95 but when the scale isread from an angle from carrying a lens 7 formed in accordance witheither above or below the horizontal plane the present invention. Asshown, in its preof the ribbon-like norm, the latter presents an ferredform, the lens consists of upper and opaque surface of appreciable widthwhich lower sections 8 and 9 respectively which, obscures the surface ofthe drum and prewhen combined and mounted in the frame 6 provide ,aconvex outer siirface and a plane vertical inner surface, producing thecustomary plano-convex constructlon. By

forming the lens in two sections I am on abled toplace between the samea reading norm 10 in the form of a fiat relatively wide ribbonpossessing opaque properties, and this ribbon may be either cemented tothe adjoining surface of the sections 8 and 9 or merely frictionallyheld therebetween by the action of the frame 6. Again, similar resultscan be obtained by uniting the sections 8 and 9 through the medium of anopaque cement or other opaque surfacing material.

By the employment of this construction it will be observed that thereader of the scale, in order to obtain accurate results, must stand sothat-the eye is in the horizontal plane of the norm 10 to permit thelatter to be viewed in true edge elevation. When read in this manner thenorm, because of its very thin body presents nothing more than a line tothe vision, which permits of the clear reading of the graduations on theouter surface of the drum 4 throughout substantially the full width ofthe lens 7. However, if the reader of the scale should occupy a positionlooking angularly downwardly or upwardly from points above or'below theplane of the norm 10, the latter will be viewed partially in plan,whereby its thickness or width isobservable, and this prevents thedesired unobstructed Q view of the indicating drum, and compelsdepth,but not suflicient to separate the lens into two separate sections.Also, in Figure 5 the norm .13 is arranged immediately ad acent to theplane side 14 of the lens 15, avoiding the cutting or scoring of thelatter as shown in Figures 3 and 4. v

In Figure 6 a circular lens is disclosed con sisting of united quartersections wherein the meeting edges thereof are provided with intersectmgreading indications 16, the point of intersection thereof constitutingthe reading norm.

What is claimed is: I e

1. In a scale, having an indicator presented for reading, al enspositioned in front of said.

2. In an instrument of the class described including an indicator, alens in front of said indicator and positioned in close proximity to thelatter, said lens being formed to include an outer convex and an innerflat surface and being divided centrally and longitudinally thereof intoa pair of sections having horizontal adjoining surfaces, said adjoiningsurfaces being provided with opaque layerforming means between saidsections.

3. A lens structure comprising a planoconvex body formed to include apair of duplicate sections having their front walls registering to forma convexed outer surface, vertical rear walls and adjoining horizontallydisposed meeting walls, and a thin flat ribbon of opaque materialinterposed between the meeting walls, and covering the full areathereof.

.4. A lens structure comprising a planoconvex body formed to'include apair of duplicate sections having their front walls registering to forma convexed outer surface, vertical rear walls and adjoining horizontallydisposed walls, and athin body of opaque material interposed between thehorizontal walls.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

- NATHAN A. HALLWOOD.

indicator havin a convex outer surface and a fiat inner sur ace, saidlens being divided into upper and lower sections having plane horizontalmeeting surfaces extending longitudinally of the lens, said meetingsurfaces being. provided with opaque layer-forming means.

